THE SA'AR

to halt for the day, but the need was to press on. The
Badawin, ever mindful of the welfare of their camels, were
ill at ease in these drought-stricken wastes and anxious to
press on with all speed to some expected pastures in southern
Mazariq.

The menace of raiders had diminished as we marched
north and was now left behind. True, the Sa'ar had in
times past raided as far north as this, but to-day, with the
main body of Rashid behind us in the south, a raiding
party would come into contact with them there, or, in any
case, would not be so foolish as to push thus far and expose
itself to the risk of being cut off.

Sa'ar! The name is a word of terror to the Rashid and
the southern Murra, whose boys are brought up to live to
revenge brothers and fathers, and to redeem lost fortunes.
The cause of raids and inter-tribal feuds is at bottom
economic. Men kill and are killed in the fight for camels.
Peace, or rather truce, alternates with war for periods of
a year or two. In time of war it is the greatest shame for a
young man to show no disposition to fight, sharab al
khumr, Vine-filled/ is a synonym for gallantry applied to
the young man who sets out to kill or be killed with a gay
heart, but a stay-at-home who shelters his life or makes
excuses when the communal interests of his tribe are
involved, is regarded as a white-livered craven for whom
none will have respect, and to whom none will give a
daughter in marriage.

Young Kilthut, Shaikh Salih's son, told me the story of
his 'blooding' by the Sa'ar which is worth setting down, not
merely as a true version of what happens when enemies
meet in the Rub' al Khali, but for the light it throws on
desert psychology.